HOG BLOG: Sandberg back to Chicago talk increasing

Nothing new here as far as news goes, but the Ryne Sandberg-back-to-Chicago talk is increasing now that the Cubs have reached a deal with Theo Epstein to become their new general manager.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the compensation issue for Epstein will likely push the official announcement of Epstein's move to the Cubs into early next week. After that, the Tribune speculates, current Cubs manager Mike Quade will likely be fired after just one season.

It's been speculated and rumored since the firing of former Cubs GM Jim Hendry in mid-season that the team would seek to lure Sandberg, who came to the Phillies organization after Hendry selected Quade as the manager over Sandberg last fall, back to the organization in some major league capacity, either as manager or coach.

Since Epstein also tried to hire Sandberg last fall to manage Triple-A Pawtucket, it's pretty much a sure bet he'd target him again.

Sources have indicated that the Phillies have not been asked by any team for permission to talk to Sandberg.

The Phillies already have to replace one minor-league manager -- the White Sox hired Mark Parent, who led Reading to the Eastern League playoffs this season -- as a bench coach for new manager Robin Ventura. It looks like a pretty safe bet they'll have another opening to fill in the near future.

The openings could open the door for a quick rise by 38-year-old Dusty Wathan, who has had winning seasons in three of his first four years as a minor league manager. Wathan has spent the last two years at Clearwater.